Idioms are a critical aspect of mastering the English language, especially for IELTS candidates aiming for a high band score in the speaking and writing tests. One idiom that you might come across is “Cross that bridge when you come to it.” This article will delve into the meaning, usage, and relevance of this idiom in the context of the IELTS exam.
Understanding the Idiom “Cross That Bridge When You Come to It”
The idiom “Cross that bridge when you come to it” is used to indicate that one should not worry about a potential problem until one actually faces it. It encourages a focus on present matters, suggesting that it is unnecessary to deal with unforeseen issues in advance.
Pronunciation
- /krɒs ðæt brɪdʒ wɛn ju kʌm tu ˈɪt/
Synonyms and Antonyms
Here are a few synonyms and antonyms to help expand your vocabulary:
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Synonyms
- Deal with it later /diːl wɪð ɪt ˈleɪtə/
- Procrastinate /prəˈkræstɪneɪt/
- Postpone /pəʊstˈpəʊn/
- Delay /dɪˈleɪ/
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Antonyms
- Address it now /əˈdrɛs ɪt naʊ/
- Tackle head-on /ˈtækl ˈhɛd ˈɒn/
- Be proactive /biː prəʊˈæktɪv/
Examples of Usage
- Synonym Example: “We should delay making any decisions until we have all the information.”
- Antonym Example: “Let’s address the issue now rather than procrastinating.”
Relevance to IELTS Exam
Frequency in IELTS
While idioms are not typically used in academic writing sections of the IELTS, mastering them can elevate your speaking and writing skills, making them more fluent and natural. The idiom “Cross that bridge when you come to it” is particularly useful in the speaking test, where candidates may be asked about problem-solving, planning, or dealing with future challenges.
How to Use in IELTS Contexts
Let’s look at some practical ways to incorporate this idiom into your IELTS answers:
Speaking Test
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Part 1 (Introduction & Interview)
- Question: “Do you often make plans for the future?”
- Answer: “Not really. I prefer to cross that bridge when I come to it.”
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Part 2 (Long Turn)
- Question: “Describe a challenge you faced.”
- Answer: “When I was in university, I had a difficult project. Instead of worrying about potential problems, I decided to cross that bridge when I came to it, focusing on one task at a time.”
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Part 3 (Discussion)
- Question: “Do you think it’s essential to plan everything in advance?”
- Answer: “While planning is crucial, sometimes it’s better to cross that bridge when you come to it, especially when dealing with unpredictable situations.”
Writing Test
Although idioms should be used sparingly in academic writing, this idiom could aptly fit into a Task 2 essay where discussing strategies to deal with future challenges.
- Prompt: “Some believe that planning everything is the best approach to life, while others argue that it is better to deal with issues as they arise.”
- Incorporation: “In some cases, it is more practical to cross that bridge when you come to it, allowing flexibility and adaptability to unforeseen circumstances.”
Examples of Combined Usage
The idiom often pairs well with other phrases focusing on future planning or problem-solving:
- “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it, so there’s no need to be anxious now.”
- “Instead of worrying about every possible outcome, I prefer to cross that bridge when I come to it.”
- “In uncertain times, it’s wise to cross that bridge when you come to it rather than spending energy on speculative problems.”
Related Idioms and Phrases
To further enrich your vocabulary, here are some related idioms and phrases that convey similar sentiments:
- Avoid crossing that river until you get to it.
- Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
- Deal with it on the fly.
- Take it as it comes.
- Tackle hurdles as they arise.
Each of these idioms follows the same principle of dealing with issues as they come up, rather than worrying unnecessarily beforehand.
Conclusion
The idiom “Cross that bridge when you come to it” can be immensely beneficial for IELTS candidates, particularly in the Speaking test. It is essential to use idioms judiciously to convey fluency and natural language use. Practice incorporating this idiom into your responses to enhance your performance across various sections of the IELTS exam.
To practice, try using this idiom in your next speaking or writing task and see how it adds depth to your conversation or essay.
For further practice, consider these sample IELTS prompts:
- Speaking: “Do you think it is better to plan things in detail or take life as it comes?”
- Writing: “Discuss both views about planning and spontaneity and give your own opinion.”